Am I Neofinetia falcata or the Worlds Smallest Vanda? - Orchid Board

AaronM · #1 (**permalink**) 09-17-2009, 08:27 PM

Looking at this picture, and keeping in mind the tree fern chunk is the size of my thumb (which would be roughly the size of your thumb, give or take...), can you tell me if this Neofinetia falcata or at least some type of Neofinetia? The person that I rescued this from mentioned, in the past, that he owned a "samurai orchid". Would this be it? I know it may be hard to tell since this one has no flowers or sword, or funny helmet with a scary mask, but try your best. As you may see in the photo, this poor little guy is on his third attempt at becoming an adult (kinda like my brother), I would love to help him succeed this time.
Also, if it is Neofinetia falcata, how do I take care of it?

Thanks,
Aaron "Takes Names Too Literally" M.

Roly0217 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-17-2009, 09:02 PM

It definetely looks like a Neo to me but it needs a lot of TLC. This is it's third fan and if you take really good care of it you might get to see blooms in a couple of years.

LinhT · #3 (**permalink**) 09-17-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronM

Also, if it is Neofinetia falcata, how do I take care of it?

Here's some info.
Growing Neofinetia falcata in winter months
Orchid of the Week Library: Neofinetia falcata - Amami Island (regular) form

AaronM · #4 (**permalink**) 09-18-2009, 08:50 PM

Thank-you both. I will post more pics as the plant recovers.
I'm a quarter Japanese, so that should help me with this particular species.

PaphMadMan · #5 (**permalink**) 09-19-2009, 04:10 PM

If not Neofinetia then a Neo hybrid.

AaronM · #6 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 02:26 PM

This tiny piece of tree fern fiber dries out very quickly. Should I move the plant to a small pot or leave it be until spring?

RenéeS · #7 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 06:54 PM

Might help placing some sphagnum moss around it, and to keep that a bit moist. I have a plant mounted on treefern and it dries out so fast... sphag keeps moist in a bit longer then treefern does and I think that Neofinetia likes it a bit wet. Also looks like the roots have wormed their way into their mount quite nicely, I wouldn't take it off its mount and disturb those roots, the plant looks a bit frail to me.
That's what I'd do, dunno if others would

. Might be good to see what others would advise you though

.
Good luck with the plant! I hope it'll stay alive.

nancy · #8 (**permalink**) 11-14-2009, 06:08 PM

Hi Aaron -
Others seem to have a different take on this plant, but I have heard from many that Neo. falcata is a poor choice for the deep south - it does not like the continuous heat. I'm pretty sure that almost everyone in our local society has sent one to the orchid hereafter...with that in mind, perhaps it would be a good candidate for some kind of indoor or tank culture?
It is small, but, heck, lots of smaller plants bloom and thrive, it can too.
Regards - Nancy

lambelkip · #9 (**permalink**) 11-14-2009, 07:26 PM

It's generally not a good plant for tank culture, since it requires good airflow. you might try loosely wrapping the roots with sphagnum in order to maintain humidity.

I've heard of them having trouble with high heat, but I'm pretty sure that's just a myth. the area where I keep mine gets up to 120F during the summer, and stays above 80F for weeks at a time. The only trouble I have during the summer is keeping the humidity high enough.